As dawn broke over the North Capital, the candidates awoke from their rest, their faces etched with a mixture of anticipation and fatigue. Mortis Nacht, however, was already awake, his mind sharp and focused. He had spent the night strategizing, every scenario and possibility running through his mind. He had no intention of being caught off guard.
Magus Haze stood before the group, his stern expression giving nothing away. "Congratulations to those who survived the labyrinth," he announced. "You have proven your resourcefulness and determination. But the final trial lies ahead. This will test not only your abilities but also your knowledge and understanding of the magus world."
The candidates exchanged nervous glances. Mortis remained impassive, his gaze fixed on Magus Haze. He was ready for whatever came next. His resolve was unwavering, his ambition boundless.
"You will be transported to a special realm," Magus Haze continues. "This realm is a microcosm of our world filled with magical creatures, resources, and dangers. Your task is to gather as many resources as you can and survive. You will have three days. Those who perform the best will be granted entry into the magus academies and organizations."
Mortis's heart quickened. This was his chance to truly demonstrate his superiority and potential. He had no doubt that he would emerge victorious. He had the knowledge, ability, and ruthlessness required to succeed at least among those other candidates.
A series of glowing portals appeared before the candidates, each one pulsating with magical particles. "Enter the portals," Magus Haze instructed. "Your trial begins now."
Mortis stepped forward without hesitation, his eyes fixed on the portal before him. As he entered, he felt a rush of particles envelop him, transporting him to a new world.
The realm he found himself in was vast and wild, filled with dense forests, towering mountains, and shimmering lakes. The air was thick with the scent of nature and the faint hum of potent particles. Mortis surveyed his surroundings, his mind already working to assess potential threats and opportunities.
He moved swiftly, blending into the shadows with ease like a true predator. His darkness affinity allowed him to become nearly invisible, like a ghost. He knew that time was of the essence. Every minute spent idle was a minute lost to his competitors.
Mortis's first goal was to secure a base of operations. He found a secluded cave nestled at the base of a mountain, its entrance obscured by thick vegetation. It provided shelter and a defensible position. He quickly set about laying traps around the perimeter, using his knowledge of mundane techniques from his previous world to create a lethal web of defenses.
With his base secured, Mortis turned his attention to gathering resources. He needed potions, spell components, and any magical artifacts he could find among the resources dropped here specifically by various Magi organizations for this test. His previous life experiences had taught him the value of preparation and foresight. He ventured into the forest, his senses on high alert.
He came across a water stream full of aquatic creatures. Using his water affinity, he manipulated the flow of the stream, creating a small pool where he could easily catch fish and collect fresh water. It was a small but vital resource, one that would sustain him through the trial.
Further exploration led him to a grove of ancient trees, their bark glowing faintly with magical particles. Mortis recognized them as mana trees from memoirs of this body, their sap a potent source of magical power. He carefully extracted the sap, storing it in vials for later use. Each vial represented a crucial resource in this trial, a boost to his magical abilities when he needed it most.
As the day progressed, Mortis encountered other candidates. Some were foraging, others hunting, all of them unaware of his presence. He watched them with a cold detachment, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. He knew that direct confrontation was risky; instead, he would use tricks and manipulation to outmaneuver and exploit them.
At dusk, Mortis stumbled upon a small encampment. A group of candidates had banded together, pooling their resources and efforts. They sat around a fire, discussing their plans and sharing their findings. Mortis observed them from the shadows, his mind working swiftly.
He knew that alliances in this trial were fragile, born of necessity rather than trust. He could exploit this. As night fell, he used his darkness affinity to blend into the shadows and slowly approached the encampment. He whispered falsehoods into the ears of the nearly sleeping candidates, sowing slight seeds of doubt and mistrust. By morning, their alliance would start to gradually fracture, each member suspicious of the others due to what they had heard—thinking it was whispering among the other candidates while they were sleeping.
The second day dawned, and Mortis continued his relentless pursuit of resources. He encountered a magical beast, a wolf-like creature with glowing blue eyes and fur that slightly crackled with electricity. It was a formidable opponent, but Mortis saw it as an opportunity. He lured the beast into one of his traps, using his fire affinity to weaken it before delivering the killing blow. The beast's hide and organs were valuable materials, and its mana core was a powerful and valuable treasure that he quickly claimed.
As he continued to explore, Mortis found an ancient ruin partially buried in the forest. It was a place of power, its walls etched with runes that pulsed with latent magic particles. Mortis sensed that it could hold valuable secrets, so he carefully navigated the crumbling corridors. Inside, he discovered a cache of scrolls, potions, and relics. He took everything, knowing that each item could prove crucial in the days ahead.
By the end of the second day, Mortis had amassed a significant stockpile of resources. He returned to his cave, reinforcing his traps and setting up various mechanisms to alert him of possible intruders. As he rested, he went over his plans for the final day. He knew that the other candidates would be desperate, their own supplies dwindling. They would be more aggressive and more likely to take risks. Mortis intended to use that to his advantage.
The third day began with a flurry of activity. Mortis moved with purpose, his every action calculated. He set traps along the paths leading to his cave, anticipating that other candidates would try to steal his resources. He used his water affinity to create hidden pools of water, baiting them with the promise of an easy find.
Midway through the day, Mortis encountered a group of candidates fighting over a rare herb. He watched from a distance, noting their desperation. When the fight reached its peak, Mortis struck. He used his darkness affinity to blend into the shadows, then picked off the weakest members with precise bursts of fire. The remaining candidates, confused and panicked, fled in different directions. Mortis calmly collected the herb, adding it to his growing collection.
As the final day wore on, the atmosphere grew tense. The remaining candidates were fewer, their eyes hollow with fatigue and desperation. Mortis continued to move through the realm with an eerie calm, his mind always several steps ahead. He encountered traps set by other candidates, but his keen sense and meticulous nature allowed him to avoid them.
As night fell on the final day, Mortis returned to his cave. He laid out his resources, taking stock of his accomplishments. He had gathered a significant amount of rare herbs, artifacts, and beast materials. He knew that his performance had far outstripped the other candidates. But he also knew that survival in the Magus World was not just about raw power; it was also about intelligence, strategy and an unyielding will.
The trial ended at dawn of the fourth day. The candidates were summoned back to the original location from which they entered the special plane, their faces haggard and weary. Mortis stood among them, his expression impassive. Magus Haze appeared, his gaze sweeping over the group.
"You have all faced the challenges of the proving ground and survived" Magus Haze began. "You have shown your abilities, your resolve and your resourcefulness. But only a few of you have truly excelled."
He gestured and a series of glowing symbols appeared in the air. They represented the resources gathered by each candidate. Mortis watched with satisfaction as his symbol showed data, far surpassing the data of others.
"Mortis Nacht," Magus Haze announced. "You have demonstrated exceptional skill and cunning. You ranked first in this trial and in the entirety of all trials."
The other candidates looked at Mortis with a mixture of envy and fear. He felt a dark satisfaction at their reactions. He had proven his superiority, not just in raw power but also in the strategic application of his abilities.
"As the top-ranked candidate, you are granted entry into any magus academy or organization of your choice," Magus Haze continued. "You will receive all necessary resources, training, and even the opportunity to select your mentor to guide you further along your path in the Magus World."
Mortis nodded, his mind already racing ahead. This was just the beginning. The Magus academies and organizations were just a stepping stone, a means to go further down his path. He had no illusions about the challenges that lay ahead, but he was prepared to face them. He readied his ruthless nature, used every tool at his disposal, and emerged victorious. The Magus World and power lay before him, and he would stop at nothing to claim it.
As the candidates dispersed, Mortis felt a surge of triumph. He had carved his path through cunning, manipulation, and sheer determination. In this world where only the strongest survived and lived a free life, Mortis Nacht would rise above all others, no matter the cost.